The path of
the Woodlander

Loyal to none but nature

In the vast forests of Kyrinia and Elfsrelda, where sunlight filters through ancient canopies and rustling leaves whisper their secrets, the Woodlanders dwell — in harmony with nature.

Guardians in the shadows

In every great forest, you’ll find them… Woodlanders. Clad in green, moving soundlessly, they merge effortlessly with the rhythm of the woods. You won’t see them. You won’t hear them. Most who enter the forest remain unaware — of the silent, watchful gaze of a Woodlander hidden among the trees.

They are as much a part of the forest as the trees, plants and animals themselves. A reclusive people who live in complete harmony with the natural world. Their loyalty belongs to no king or ruler, but solely to the forest they serve and protect. To them, the woods and all its inhabitants are more than just a home — they are a living domain, steeped in spirit, resolve, and ancient laws.

Rooted in connection and respect

The bond between the Woodlanders and their forest is truly unique. The woods offer them shelter, a place to belong. It gives them all they need — but above all, it gives their lives meaning. A life of devotion, where Woodlanders guard and cherish the forest’s hidden truths: secret paths, healing herbs, and the sanctuaries of its creatures. Woodlanders live with the forest, never against it.

Each day, they repeat a ritual of connection: a silent harmony of body and spirit. Standing barefoot in the damp forest soil, they sway gently in a closed circle, humming in unison. They listen to the rustle of leaves, the snap of twigs, the creak of bark. They feel the warmth of the sun, the caress of the wind, the earth between their toes. Their attention is wholly attuned to all that lives — to the ancient rhythm of the forest. The air is rich with the scent of flora and fauna. It is an exchange of energy, of gratitude and communion. Without this bond, a Woodlander is like a hearth with no fire: cold and empty.

Yes, the connection runs so deep that it is said a Woodlander who stays too long away from the forest is bound to fade. Yet within the woods, in their element, they seem tireless — as if the forest itself grants them endless strength. Or perhaps it is simply that they live entirely outdoors, always moving, always journeying. Hardened by wind and weather, they rarely leave their beloved forest… but when they do, their bond with the land keeps them sharply aware of what stirs beyond the trees. Woodlanders are known for their keen awareness — with a trusted network of watchers and allies, even in the cities.

The soul of the forest

Woodlanders hold no regard for borders or titles. They recognise only the Leaf, their spiritual leader and the bridge between the world of plants and animals they serve and the world of men.

The Leaf is the embodiment of natural wisdom and spiritual strength — so deeply entwined with the forest that she can hear the trees whisper. She feels the pulse of life with every breath and senses every tremor. Words have long since fallen silent for her. The Leaf can commune with the forest, but no longer speaks aloud. She speaks only to those who can truly hear her — in heart and spirit.

This is where the Speaker of the Woodlanders comes in. This Gifted individual can speak with the Leaf mind-to-mind, and only through her can the Woodlanders understand the will of the Leaf — and thus the will of the forest itself.

The voice that listens

The Speaker receives the Leaf’s thoughts — vibrations in the threads of Kischmet — and translates them into words for her people. It is a rare gift and a heavy burden, for a Speaker’s devotion is without equal.

Kytta, a gentle young woman with doe-brown eyes, is such a Speaker. Though still young, Kytta speaks in the name of the Leaf — and with the voice of the Woodlanders. She will do anything the Leaf — the forest — asks of her, even if it means leaving behind the woods she loves. Even if it means sacrificing her own wishes, dreams and desires. For nature always strives for balance. Only in Ekvilibro can it truly thrive. The Leaf serves this balance. And so does the Speaker.

When Kischmet whispers

When the threads of Kischmet tremble, so too does the Leaf — like leaves rustling in the wind. From bud to autumn leaf, from spring to winter — all things shift within the same cycle. When the end of a Leaf’s life draws near and Kischmet begins to whisper, the forest begins to seek. Signs appear, vibrations echo through the woods, seeking resonance — and if the tone is pure and the balance true, a new Leaf is chosen.

This sacred process, known among the Woodlanders as the Whispering, is one of the deepest expressions of Kischmet’s will. It is no ordinary ceremony, but a profound spiritual event that reflects — and deepens — the unity between the forest, the Woodlanders, and the Ekvilibro.

The Magia Trilogy

A quiet reminder

Woodlanders make no distinction of race or origin. Anyone may join their ranks — if they endure the Woodlander rite. The past is left behind. In the forest, all begins anew — reborn as a Woodlander. From that moment on, every action reflects a sacred commitment to the forest, as part of a close-knit community — a new home.

They remind us that nature is not merely a backdrop for pleasant wandering — no, nature is life itself. And each of us is but a small part of it.

If you open your heart to that thought, you may feel what Syribil once felt…

That every forest has its own spirit, teeming with life and strength — and that some secrets are best left hidden beneath the leaves.

Chronicles

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